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Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
A high-level panel led by Vice-President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, will engage with local and foreign exhibitors during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) International Business Conference to be held on April 27 in Bulawayo.

The event will run under the ZITF theme: “Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent Value Chains for Economic Development”.

According to the ZITF Company, there will be three panel sessions, the first being anchored on the structural transformation of value chains.

This will highlight perspectives from business and industry leaders and will be co-chaired by the president of Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Mr Kurai Matsheza and Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) president, Dr Tinashe Manzungu.

The second panel will seek to tackle inclusive value chain development through financing and investment. This segment will be led by executive vice-president of Afreximbank, Mr Denys Denya, managing director BancABC

Zimbabwe, Dr Lance Mambondiani who will be representing Bankers Association of Zimbabwe, IDC chairman, Mr Winstone Makamure, Zida acting chief executive, Mrs Duduzile Shinya and AFDB country manager Ms Moono Mupotola.

The third panel will be focused on re-imagining value chain opportunities and challenges and will be chaired by ZEPARU executive director, Dr Gibson Chigumira.

Also to feature in this panel will be ZimTrade CEO Mr Allan Majuru, Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Dr John Bhasera, AMA chief executive officer, Mr Clever Isaya and ZNCC chief executive officer, Mr Christopher Mugaga.

Commenting, ZITF deputy chief executive officer, Ms Stella Nkomo, said the International Business Conference was a critical platform for high level business engagements.

“We anticipate that businesspeople will have fruitful discussions that will assist in transforming their businesses as they position themselves favourable for the post-Covid-19 era,” she said.

“The conference brings together critical economic players such as policy makers, business leaders and entrepreneurs thereby ensuring that pertinent economic issues are interrogated and solutions proffered.”

Ms Nkomo said in the past conference, resolutions have been used to inform policy makers and decision makers in a bid to continuously improve the operating environment.

“Specifically, this year where focus is on value chains, the conference presents an opportunity to take stock of progress to date in as far as re-imagining and rethinking value chains in the face of disruptions from Covid-19,” she said.

-@sikhulekelaniM1